Rocket Waste

Where Does Trash Go After You Throw It Away?

Where Does Trash Go After You Throw It Away?

The old bulldozer moving garbage

Where does trash go after you throw it away? At Rocket Waste, we are committed to promoting responsible waste management practices. Join us in exploring the path that trash takes once it leaves your home as we delve into the intricacies of waste management in the United States.

Recycling: A Path to Sustainability

When it comes to waste management, one of the most pivotal paths to sustainability is recycling. We at Rocket Waste understand the importance of recycling in reducing the environmental impact of waste. In the United States, recycling has made significant strides over the years. In 2015, over 67.7 million tons of municipal solid waste were recycled, marking a substantial increase from 1990 levels when only 29 million tons were recycled.

Recycling is undeniably a preferable waste management alternative. It not only helps in conserving precious natural resources but also significantly reduces the overall waste sent to landfills. This reduction in landfill waste is vital in light of the growing concerns regarding landfills’ environmental impact. However, despite the promising trends in recycling rates, recent international developments have posed challenges that could affect the future of recycling in the United States.

In 2018, China, the world’s largest importer of recyclables, imposed strict standards on the types of materials it would accept. This decision had a profound impact on the recycling industry as China was processing nearly 70 percent of the world’s plastic recycling annually, approximately seven million tons. By 2018, China was accepting less than 1 percent of its 2016 imports, equating to less than 70,000 tons.

China’s new import standards demanded that recycling materials be sorted and virtually contamination-free, with a contamination rate of less than 0.5 percent. In the United States, approximately one in four pieces of material tossed into recycling bins is contaminated and not recyclable. This contamination issue has created significant challenges for municipalities, which are now burdened with additional costs to sort materials and discard contaminated items.

Waste-to-Energy Facilities: Turning Trash into Power

Another viable option that municipalities have in waste management is diverting municipal solid waste to waste-to-energy facilities. These facilities employ the method of burning garbage to generate heat or electricity. The predominant type of waste-to-energy facility is incineration, utilizing thermal heating to combust and break down diverse types of waste, encompassing both organic and inorganic materials.

In 2015, waste-to-energy facilities in the United States processed a substantial 33.5 million tons of municipal solid waste, producing an impressive 2.3 gigawatts of electricity. This energy output is sufficient to power over two million homes. Moreover, the incineration of waste plays a pivotal role in significantly reducing the volume of municipal waste directed to landfills, presenting an environmentally sustainable solution to the escalating landfill issue.

As per the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the incineration of municipal waste can lead to an 87 percent reduction in volume. To illustrate, for every 100 pounds of garbage, approximately 87 pounds are incinerated as fuel to generate electricity, while the remaining ash undergoes treatment before being consigned to a landfill.

Landfills: The Final Resting Place

Landfills represent the endpoint for municipal solid waste that is not recycled or burned. These specially engineered facilities are designed to accept waste while protecting the environment from contaminants. In 2015, the United States disposed of a substantial 137.7 million tons of municipal waste into landfills.

While this figure is slightly higher than the previous five-year average of 134.5 million tons, it is significantly lower than the peak annual landfill disposal in 1990, which stood at 145.2 million tons. Several factors contribute to this decline, including the increasing emphasis on recycling and the reduction in the use of paper products like newspapers, thanks to the transition to digital mediums.

However, despite this decline, uncertainties in the recycling market and the limited network of waste-to-energy facilities raise concerns about an increased reliance on landfills in the future. As landfill capacity becomes a pressing issue in various regions, municipalities are faced with the challenge of finding suitable alternatives for waste disposal.

The Growing Environmental Concern

At Rocket Waste, we share the growing concern over the environmental impact of waste management practices, particularly the detrimental effects of landfills. Landfills’ contribution to methane emissions and their potential for leachate leakage necessitate immediate attention and sustainable solutions.

Methane, with its significant heat-trapping capabilities, presents a formidable challenge in the fight against climate change. The environmental implications of landfill emissions are undeniable, and addressing these issues requires a multifaceted approach.

Taking Action: Bans on Single-use Plastics

In our commitment to promoting responsible waste management, we support initiatives aimed at reducing waste at its source. One such initiative involves bans on single-use plastics, which have gained momentum in several U.S. states. California and New York, among others, have passed laws banning single-use plastic bags, with the goal of reducing the amount of municipal waste entering the waste stream.

While these bans represent a step in the right direction, they do have potential downsides. Some consumers may substitute single-use plastic bags with larger and heavier plastic or paper bags, inadvertently adding more weight and volume to the waste stream instead of less. It’s essential to continually assess the impact of such bans and consider ways to mitigate unintended consequences.

Food-waste Bans: A Step Toward Sustainability

Another promising step in waste reduction is the implementation of food-waste bans in various states. These bans target major food-waste generators such as supermarkets, colleges, and entertainment venues. They are designed to encourage these entities to dispose of food waste outside of landfills through methods like source reduction, donation, composting, or transporting waste to a waste-to-energy facility.

These sustainable practices not only reduce the overall volume of municipal waste in the waste stream but also address transportation and landfill capacity concerns. Moreover, they promote responsible waste management practices among major waste generators, contributing to a cleaner and more sustainable environment.

At Rocket Waste, we firmly believe that achieving better waste management practices requires a collective effort. Policymakers, businesses, and the public must work together to ensure a sustainable future. This collaboration involves staying informed about waste management options, understanding potential environmental hazards, and effectively communicating sustainability initiatives.

To pave the way for improved waste management practices, policymakers must have access to up-to-date and accurate information about the state of existing waste management options. They must also promote transparency in waste management and engage with businesses and the public to facilitate responsible waste disposal and recycling.

As we look to the future, we encourage individuals and organizations to explore sustainable waste management options and consider responsible disposal methods. Together, we can make a significant difference in reducing the environmental impact of waste and building a cleaner, greener future.

Join us at Rocket Waste in our mission to promote responsible waste management practices and create a positive impact on the environment. For reliable waste management solutions tailored to your needs, contact us today or visit our website here. Together, we can make a meaningful contribution to a more sustainable world.

Share:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn